Ask the Experts

Garden City Hospital is here to help. Now you can browse, search and view answers to frequently asked health questions. Have a personal health question you need answered? We can do that too! Simply submit your question and we will get it to the appropriate GCH health expert for an answer.

Ask the Experts is for general information purposes only. It should never be thought of as medical advice or treatment, nor should it be used in place of a thorough medical screening or an exam by a licensed medical professional. Medical advice should be sought from an emergency room, urgent care center, or licensed medical professional. If you need help finding a physician, use our online physician directory to locate a Garden City Hospital Health Expert that’s right for you.

Check the Sunday issue or your local O&E for more answers from the GCH Health Experts.

Note: Questions are selected both randomly and based on relevance or frequency. Not all submitted questions will be answered. Answers will be posted on GCH.org and not supplied directly to the submitter. To maintain personal privacy, we do not require any personal information be given to submit questions.

Q

I was thrilled when I showed my husband our positive pregnancy test result, but almost immediately, I started to become nervous. There were so many questions, so many choices and so many decisions to be made. Both of my sisters have children and thoroughly enjoyed the experience, even though both approached their pregnancies in very different ways. While my older sister went a more traditional route, and loved her OB-GYN, my younger sister encouraged me to look into a nurse midwife. Can you help me understand the difference between the two and what it means for my pregnancy?

A

For most people, choosing a certified nurse midwife (CNM) or an obstetrician-gynecologist (OB-GYN), is a matter of personal preference that is easier to make if you can pinpoint what issues a... read more

For most people, choosing a certified nurse midwife (CNM) or an obstetrician-gynecologist (OB-GYN), is a matter of personal preference that is easier to make if you can pinpoint what issues are important to you and ask questions. This may be their individual credentials, views on pain medication or simply a matter of convenience that impacts your decision. Knowing the basics about these practitioners can smooth the way to a happier, healthier pregnancy and birth.

It’s important to note there are many other important differences between an OB-GYN and a CNM. For instance, a midwife can independently guide and support a healthy pregnancy, while an OB-GYN must be involved in high-risk situations and surgical interventions, such as C-section deliveries.

Fortunately, this really doesn’t need to be an either/or situation. Many area physician practices, like mine, have nurse midwives on staff to enhance the pregnancy experience. This is an ideal situation for women who seek both piece of mind as well as the personal and emotional support of a nurse midwife.

Q

Is it true that I can’t get pain medication or an epidural if I deliver with a midwife?

A

Many women are surprised to learn that a CNM can request an epidural and pain management options during labor. Certified nurse midwives in the birthing unit of a hospital have the same author... read more

Many women are surprised to learn that a CNM can request an epidural and pain management options during labor. Certified nurse midwives in the birthing unit of a hospital have the same authority as an OB-GYN to order epidurals for their patients. Remember, neither the CNM nor OB-GYN actually administers the epidural, an anesthesiologist does.